Optical identification of calcium-dependent action potentials transiently expressed in the embryonic rat brainstem

Using multiple-site optical recording of transmembrane potential changes, we have found a new type of calcium-dependent action potential expressed transiently in the embryonic rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve. Slice preparations with vagus nerve fibers attached were dissected from 12- to 16-day-old embryonic (E12–E16) rat brainstems, and they were stained with a voltage-sensitive merocyanine–rhodanine dye (NK2761). Electrical activities in response to vagal stimuli were optically recorded simultaneously from many sites using 1020- or 128-element photodiode array measuring systems. In brainstem preparations, two types of action potential-related optical signals were identified. One was detected from the dorsolateral region, and was related to sensory nerve activity (Type I). The other was detected from the dorsomedial region, and corresponded to the action potential in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (Type II). We found a difference in the ionic basis of the Type I vs Type II signals. The Type I signal was not altered in Ca²⁺-free bathing solution and was eliminated by tetrodotoxin, suggesting that the sensory nerve activity is mediated by Na⁺ currents. The Type II signal at early developmental stages (E12–E13, and some preparations in E14) was also independent of Ca²⁺. However, the Type II signal in later developmental stages (E15–E16, and some preparations in E14) did depend upon Ca²⁺: it was eliminated in Ca²⁺-free Ringer's solution, blocked by Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ or Mn²⁺, and elicited in Sr²⁺-containing Ringer's solution, where CaCl₂ was replaced with SrCl₂. These results suggest that the cation which dominates the motoneuron action potential changes from Na⁺ to Ca²⁺ during development, and this change occurs around E14. With pharmacological analysis using Ca²⁺ channel blockers, we show that the Ca²⁺ channel mediating the motoneuron action potential is distinct from T-, L-, N-, P- or Q-type channels.

Because the vagal action potential in adult mammals is mainly mediated by Na⁺, we suggest that a Ca²⁺ action potential mediated by a new type of Ca²⁺ channel is expressed transiently in the rat dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve at particular stages of development.     

Development of eight pubertal males with 47,XXY karyotype

The increasing frequency with which the diagnosis of the 47,XXY karyotype is made requires more knowledge of the prognosis of this condition. We present four 47, XXY boys identified at birth and followed since then (Group I), and four 47, XXY boys diagnosed because of physical and/or emotional problems (Group II). Physical, psychological, language, and hormone data are presented. The physical and intellectual profiles for the two groups are similar. This is in contrast to the very poor school and emotional adjustment of the Group II individuals. These boys were definitely more difficult and problematic for their parents when compared to their siblings and to Group I who were un-selected. This further emphasizes that the expression of this karyotype is variable and individuals with behavioral disorders may represent a maladaptive subgroup rather than the entire population of 47,XXY males. Recommendations are given for intervention with attention to learning and language problems, hormone status, and emotional state.     

父母文化和职业因素对婴儿能力发展的影响

目的 :研究父母文化水平及职业对 3 -9月龄婴儿早期能力发展的影响。方法 :采用分层抽样法选取 3、 6、 9月龄婴儿 3 0 0 0名 ,进行能力发展测定。结果 :多因子方差分析及多重比较显示 ,父亲受教育水平不同 ,6月龄婴儿的发育商、智力能区和 9月龄婴儿的DQ分均差异显著 ;父亲职业不同 ,3月龄及 9月龄的婴儿智力能区差异显著。母亲受教育水平不同 ,6、 9月龄婴儿DQ分差异显著 ;母亲职业不同 ,3、 6、9月龄婴儿智力能区差异均显著 ,6月龄婴儿DQ分差异显著 ,9月龄婴儿社会适应能区差异显著。结论 :父母与婴儿的交往、父母文化水平与职业均对婴儿早期能力发展有重要影响     

Development of the human heart

In 2014, an extensive review discussing the major steps of cardiac development focusing on growth, formation of primary and chamber myocardium and the development of the cardiac electrical system, was published. Molecular genetic lineage analyses have since furthered our insight in the developmental origin of the various component parts of the heart, which currently can be unambiguously identified by their unique molecular phenotype. Moreover, genetic, molecular and cell biological analyses have driven insights into the mechanisms underlying the development of the different cardiac components. Here, we build on our previous review and provide an insight into the molecular mechanistic revelations that have forwarded the field of cardiac development. Despite the enormous advances in our knowledge over the last decade, the development of congenital cardiac malformations remains poorly understood. The challenge for the next decade will be to evaluate the different developmental processes using newly developed molecular genetic techniques to further unveil the gene regulatory networks operational during normal and abnormal cardiac development.     

Developmental trajectories, critical windows and phenotypic alteration during cardio-respiratory development

Embryo-environment interactions affecting cardio-respiratory development in vertebrates have been extensively studied, but an equally extensive conceptual framework for interpreting and interrelating these developmental events has lagged behind. In this review, we consider the conceptual constructs of "developmental plasticity", "critical windows", "developmental trajectory" and related concepts as they apply to both vertebrate and invertebrate development. Developmental plasticity and the related phenomenon of "heterokairy" are considered as a subset of phenotypic plasticity, and examples of cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic plasticity illustrate the variable outcomes of embryo-environment interactions. The concept of the critical window is revealed to be overarching in cardio-respiratory development, and events originating within a critical window, potentially mitigated by "self-repair" capabilities of the embryo, are shown to result in modified developmental trajectories and, ultimately, modified adult phenotype. Finally, epigenetics, fetal programming and related phenomena are considered in the context of potentially life-long cardio-respiratory phenotypic modification resulting from embryo-environment interactions.     

中国民族植物学:回顾与展望

本文对中国民族植物学发展史、研究进展和今后发展趋势进行了论述与讨论。民族植物学在中国起步较晚,但在过去二十年里已从无到有,建立起了民族植物学研究的理论框架、内容、方法和途径,将民族植物学从基础描述性研究(调查、记载、编目),推进到应用研究,在植物资源的可持续利用、生物多样性保护、农村发展和山区扶贫等方面取得若干进展。当前,我国民族植物学研究面临发展的新机遇和新的挑战,必须面向国民经济发展的新形势,投入西部大开发,加强了学科建设,推进研究与产业发展的结合,充分运用西部地区的学科资源优势,东部地区的人才智力优势与资本优势,把民族植物学由地区性研究推进到全国性研究,进一步完善中国特色的民族植物学研究体系,积极参与国际合作与交流,对我国国民经济的持续发展、民族地区的团结稳定和生物多样性保护作出更大的贡献。     

早期干预对早产儿智力发育的作用

目的:探讨早期干预对早产儿智力发育的作用.方法:将62例早产儿随机分为干预组30例,对照组32例,干预组自新生儿期开始干预治疗至2岁,两组早产儿均于1岁、2岁时进行智能发育检测.结果:干预组1岁、2岁时智力发育指数(MDI)和心理运动发育指数(PDI)均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(t值分别为:1.91,2.70,2.05,2.68,P<0.05,P<0.01).结论:早期干预可促进早产儿的智力发育,有利于防治智力低下.     

A piggyBac transposon‐ and gateway‐enhanced system for efficient BAC transgenesis

Results and Conclusions: We present an enhanced system, comprising a BAC vector retrofitted with piggyBac DNA transposon elements and attL (Gateway) docking sites, that obviates these problems. Using this system, a gene‐of‐interest (such as a reporter gene) is transferred to the vector in a one‐step in vitro reaction, and piggyBac transposition mediates transgene integration at high efficiency when microinjected into mouse zygotes with piggyBac transposase mRNA. We establish proof‐of‐principle for this system using a Wilms tumour‐1 (Wt1) BAC to drive expression of an mCherry‐2A‐EGFP (RG) reporter gene, which yielded transgenic mice at a frequency of 33%, and recapitulated endogenous WT1 expression in developing gonads, kidneys and heart. The system we describe is applicable to any BAC transgenesis strategy. Developmental Dynamics 243:1086–1094, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A primer on investigating the role of the microbiome in brain and cognitive development

Incorporating information regarding the gut microbiota into psychobiological research promises to shed new light on how individual differences in brain and cognitive development emerge. However, the investigation of the gut-brain axis in development is still in its infancy and poses several challenges, including data analysis. Considering that the gut microbiome is an eco-system containing millions of bacteria, one needs to utilize a breadth of methodologies and data analytic techniques. The present review serves two purposes. First, this review will inform developmental psychobiology researchers about the emerging study of the gut-brain axis in development and second, this review will propose methodologies and data analytic strategies for integrating microbiome data in developmental research.     

Development of the origin of the coronary arteries, a matter of ingrowth or outgrowth?

Summary Inconsistencies still exist with regard to the exact mode of development of proximal coronary arteries and coronary orifices. In this regard 15 quail embryos were investigated using a monoclonal anti-endothelium antibody, enabling a detailed study of the development of endothelium-lined vasculature. Coronary orifices emerged at 7–9 days of incubation (Zacchei stages 24–26) and were invariably present at 10 days of incubation (Zacchei stage 27).We never observed more than 2 coronary orifices; these were always single in either of the facing sinuses of the aorta. A coronary orifice was always observed being connected to an already developed proximal coronary artery, which belonged to a peritruncal ring of coronary arterial vasculature. We did not find any coronary orifice without a connection to a proximal coronary artery. Moreover, at 7–9 days of incubation (Zacchei stages 24–26) we observed coronary arteries from the peritruncal ring penetrating the aortic media. In 2 specimen this coronary artery, with a lumen, was in contact with the still intact endothelial lining of the aorta.We conclude that coronary arteries do not grow out of the aorta, but grow into the aorta from the peritruncal ring of coronary arterial vasculature. This throws new light on normal and abnormal development of proximal coronary arteries and coronary orifices.     

Glucocorticoid production in the chicken bursa and thymus

Glucocorticoid (GC) hormones play an important role in thymic T cell selection and in the development of autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have shown that the mammalian thymus itself is able to produce GC. In order to assess the importance of these findings in terms of the evolutionary development of the immune system, we investigated the functional presence of steroidogenic enzymes in primary lymphoid organs of chickens, which represent one of the best studied non-mammalian species. To this end, we attempted to demonstrate enzyme activities of the whole set of steroidogenic enzymes for the synthesis of GC in the bursa of Fabricius and the thymus. We isolated steroidogenic organelles from primary lymphoid tissues, incubated these with radioactive (precursor) steroids in vitro and visualized the resulting products by thin-layer chromatography. Our results show that the chicken bursa as well as the chicken thymus possesses all enzymes and cofactors required for GC production. The observation of GC production in an organ responsible for B cell selection and maturation is a further step in uncovering the yet ill-defined mechanism of B cell selection. These results provide the biochemical basis for the in situ hormonal effects, and underline the general importance of GC hormones on T and B lymphocyte development and selection.     

Psychological follow-up study of 5-year-old ICSI children

BACKGROUND: The developmental outcomes of children born after ICSI are still a matter of concern. The purpose of the present study was to investigate psychological outcomes for 5-year-old children born after ICSI and compare these with outcomes for children born after spontaneous conception (SC). METHODS: Three hundred singleton children born after ICSI in Belgium, Sweden and the USA were matched by maternal age, child age and gender. Outcome measures included the Wechsler Preschool and Primary scales of intelligence (WPPSI-R), Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Parenting Stress Index and Child Behaviour Checklist. RESULTS: Regarding cognitive development, no significant differences were found on WPPSI-R verbal and performance scales between ICSI and SC children. However, some differences were noted on subtests of the Performance Scale. ICSI children more often obtained a score below 1 SD of the mean on the subtests: Object Assembly, Block Design and Mazes (all P<0.05). Significant differences by site (i.e. Belgium, Sweden and New York) were found on subtests related to parenting stress, child behaviour problems and motor development (all P<0.05). These findings can probably be explained by variables other than conception mode, such as cultural differences and selection bias. CONCLUSIONS: Although the finding that a higher proportion of ICSI children obtained scores below the cut-off on some of the visual-spatial subscales of the WPPSI-R warrants further investigation, ICSI does not appear to affect the psychological well-being or cognitive development at age 5.     

汉族男子体格及生殖器发育特点

2411例汉族男性大学生体格和生殖器的测量结果如下:阴茎周径8.17±0.64cm,阴茎长度7.43±1.04cm,阴茎牵长13.33±1.19cm,右睾丸容积17.91±4.09ml,左睾丸容积17.83±4.05ml,身高171.07±5.66cm,体重58.43±7.75kg.北方学生体格和生殖器发育均优于南方.城、县、乡学生的生殖器发育无明显差异,但城市学生体格发育优于农村.16岁后阴茎、睾丸大小变化不大,但生殖器的发育可持续到30岁.     

A cyclin-like protein,ClgA, regulates development in Aspergillus nidulans

A cyclin-like protein from Aspergillus nidulans, ClgA, was identified. Its cyclin-like subunit shares 28.3% identity to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Clg1. Deletion of clgA slightly influenced fungal growth, but repressed asexual development and made it more sensitive to temperature variations. It also downregulated expression of brlA, abaA and wetA, which are critically responsible for asexual development. Sexual development was impaired in the ΔclgA mutant. Its related genes, veA and nosA, were expressed weakly in the ΔclgA mutant, while nsdD expression showed the opposite behavior. Generally, ClgA functioned differently from other reported cyclins in development of A. nidulans.     

早期干预对早产儿智力和运动发育影响的研究

目的探讨早期干预对早产儿智力和运动发育的影响。方法选取70例早产儿,随机分成实验组和对照组各35例,对实验组进行视觉、触觉、听觉和前庭功能早期干预,对照组常规新生儿科治疗护理,观察两组早产儿智力、运动发育指数。结果 3、6月,两组智力、运动发育指数无显著差异。12、18、24月,实验组智力发育指数呈明显上升趋势,运动发育指数在上升中18月时有波动,总体呈上升趋势;对照组智力、运动发育指数呈随月龄增加的趋势,但是上升幅度明显小于实验组,两组智力、运动发育指数差别有统计学意义。结论早期干预通过刺激机体的内分泌促进早产儿智力和运动能力发育。     

音乐胎教与抚摩训练对婴儿智力动作发育和行为影响的研究

通过对曾进行胎教的婴儿５０名和未进行胎教的婴儿５０名的对照研究结果发现：①胎教组和对照组婴儿的发育商（ＤＱ）在６个月和１２个月检查时在统计学上并无差异；②胎教组婴儿的抬头、独坐、扶站、扶走均早于对照组。     

Ego Identity Development of Adolescents with Cancer

The literature on the psychological adjustment of adolescentswith cancer contains many contradictions. The current studyassessed the psychosocial adjustment of teen-age cancer patientsfrom a developmental perspective. Forty-two adolescents withcancer and healthy matched controls were administered Archerand Waterman's (1982) Ego Identity Interview and Marcia's (1966)Ego Identity Incomplete Sentence Blank. Healthy adolescentsattained significantly higher identity status levels in interviewcontent areas of career, marriage, and children, but not religion,and also achieved higher Ego Identity scores. The implicationsof these findings for prevention and treatment are discussed.     

Effects of an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody, administered throughout pregnancy and lactation, on the development of the macaque immune system

PROBLEM: The use of anti-TNF-alpha therapies during pregnancy and lactation on the development of the neonatal immune system has not been fully established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether treatment of macaques with an anti-TNF-alpha monoclonal antibody (golimumab) during pregnancy and lactation would result in defects in the developing immune system. METHOD OF STUDY: Pregnant macaques were treated with golimumab during pregnancy and lactation. Immune system development was evaluated by histopathology, lymphocyte subset analysis and functional challenging of the infant immune system (humoral immune response to KLH and TTX, and DTH skin reaction). RESULTS: In utero and postnatal exposure to golimumab had no effect on T and B cell populations in blood and lymphoid tissues and did not impair the ability of the infants to mount an immune response to antigen challenge. CONCLUSION: Treatment of pregnant macaques with golimumab throughout pregnancy and lactation did not affect the development and maturation of the immune system in the offspring.